Press Releases

Statement by NSN on the Passing of Samuel R. Berger December 2, 2015 Today, the boards and staff of the National Security Network are saddened by the loss of Sandy Berger, our Advisory Board Chair who passed away after a battle with cancer. Sandy was a committed public servant who devoted his career to America’s national security. As Chair of NSN’s Advisory Board, Sandy was instrumental in shaping the organization’s message of progressive internationalism, which promoted engagement with the world in a manner consistent with America’s values. NSN Executive Director John Bradshaw said:  “Sandy was an engaged and hands-on Advisory Board Chair who cared deeply about our work and who brought many national security experts who admired him and his work into the organization’s network. … Read More ›

Statement by National Security Initiative Board Members on the Passing of Samuel Pisar July 29, 2015 The Board of the National Security Initiative, NSN’s sister educational organization, made the following statement regarding the passing of Samuel Pisar: The Board of the National Security Initiative was saddened to hear of the passing of Samuel Pisar – a holocaust survivor, senior advisor to President John F. Kennedy, and the loving father of fellow Board member Leah Pisar. Samuel was born in Poland, survived Auschwitz, Dachau, Sachsenhausen and other concentration camps before escaping a Nazi death march. He was eventually rescued by his French aunt and went on to study at Harvard and the Sorbonne. He established a successful career as an international lawyer always keeping his dedication… Read More ›

Statement by National Security Network and National Security Initiative Board Members on Iran Nuclear Deal July 14, 2015 The Board of the National Security Network and the National Security Initiative as well as NSN’s Advisory Board made the following statement regarding today’s announcement of a nuclear agreement with Iran: The comprehensive joint plan of action (CJPoA) announced July 14th between the P5+1 nations and Iran represents a major step toward the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and, rigorously implemented, will make America safer. The CJPoA is the result of years of patient and shrewd negotiation by nuclear experts and diplomats, led by the Obama administration, resulting in an agreement that cuts all pathways for Iran to build a nuclear weapon. Under the… Read More ›

Board Member Lee Wolosky to be Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure For Immediate Release – June 30, 2015 The National Security Network welcomes the appointment of Lee Wolosky as Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure. A decade ago, Lee was a founding member of the National Security Network, and he has served as a board member since that time. Lee’s extensive experience in government, law, and diplomacy will allow him to make progress toward the critical national security goal of closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, which has damaged relationships with U.S. allies and served as a propaganda tool for terrorists.In addition to his background in counterterrorism, transnational threats, and the rule of law, Lee brings to the position a demonstrated ability to work in a… Read More ›

The National Security Network (NSN) is pleased to announce that NSN Founder Rand Beers has rejoined the organization as a member of the Advisory Board. Rand founded NSN in 2006 and was most recently the Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security after previously having served as acting Secretary of Homeland Security in 2013. Rand brings decades of government leadership and expertise in counter-terrorism issues to his new role as an NSN Advisory Board Member.     Read More ›

Statement by National Security Network Board Members April 3, 2015 The framework agreement announced April 2 between the P5+1 nations and Iran represents historic progress toward the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.  While much work remains to be done to achieve an effective and verifiable comprehensive agreement, the framework agreement demonstrates that the Obama Administration and international partners have taken a responsible approach to the negotiations and have reached a deal that will ensure the peaceful and civilian nature of Iran’s nuclear program. We support the Administration’s efforts to build on the framework agreement to reach a comprehensive agreement by June 30th. A negotiated resolution to the nuclear issue is the only sustainable way to contain the Iranian nuclear threat. By tying… Read More ›

NSN Statement: P5+1 and Iran Framework Agreement April 2, 2015 Washington DC – the National Security Network’s Executive Director John Bradshaw gave the following statement regarding the framework agreed upon by Iran and the P5+1 in Lausanne, Switzerland: The framework announced today between the P5+1 nations and Iran represents historic progress toward the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. While much work remains to be done to achieve a final agreement, the framework demonstrates that the Obama Administration and international partners have taken a responsible approach to the negotiations and have resisted signing any deal that would not adequately achieve the vital goal of preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons. Those who have called for taking military action against Iran should step back and… Read More ›

Obama’s ISIL AUMF FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2015 Washington, D.C. – John Bradshaw, Executive Director of the National Security Network, a progressive and pragmatic messaging and policy group focused on foreign policy and national security, offered the following statement in response to President Obama’s submission of an Authorization to Use Military Force against the Islamic State: The AUMF proposed by the Administration contains some important limitations, including a sunset clause, that reflect lessons learned from the blank check AUMF passed by Congress in 2001. Attempts to effectively define the forces the U.S. will be fighting against and to limit the role of combat ground forces are welcome although both are problematic and can be improved. The failure to define the role of the 2001… Read More ›

National Security Network Statement on Plans to Normalize Relations with Cuba FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2014  Washington, DC — Along with the release of  USAID contractor Alan Gross and an unnamed U.S. intelligence asset, President Obama announced today sweeping changes in U.S. policy with Cuba, normalizing relations after half a century of Cold War isolation. National Security Network’s Executive Director John Bradshaw today issued the following statement: President Obama’s bold action in restoring relations with Cuba is more likely to lead to positive changes in the lives of the Cuban people than current policy. The new opening gets beyond rigid Cold War mindsets of the past and looks at the practical realities of the current situation, recognizing that our estrangement from Cuba is not changing the… Read More ›

Photo Credit: Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 12/11/14 During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee markup session focused on an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against the Islamic State, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) cited a recent study by the National Security Network in offering an amendment that would limit the use of force to Iraq and Syria: “Many have made the argument that we’ve added too many limitations, there should be no limitations, they’ve argued historically that we haven’t done this. Well, the National Security Network looked back at all of the uses of authorization of force since the beginning of the republic, and they found that 60% of those actually did have a geographic limitation on them.” The full paper written by NSN Executive… Read More ›